Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

What started with one man’s hope to make Christmas a little merrier for a neighbor in need has resulted in the entire motorcycle community donating over $18,000 in cash plus gifts to the young family of six.

It all started with a December 16 posting on the WERA Motorcycle Racing electronic bulletin board (www.wera.com) by custom leathers maker “Barnacle Bill” Burns. Burns’ neighbors’ oldest of four sons, 12-year-old Christopher Powers, has had serious medical problems since birth, and even with health insurance, Christopher’s worsening condition and ever-increasing medical expenses had drained the family’s finances to the point where there would be little in the way of Christmas at their small Kentucky home.

Inspired by the Roadracing World Action Fund drive to raise money to increase racetrack safety, Burns decided the best way he could make a difference was to start a raffle. He offered entries at $5.00 each to win a custom-made set of racing leathers. His original post dreamed of getting 1000 people to each buy one ticket, which would result in a $5000 donation to the family.

Thanks to members of the WERA BBS spreading the word to other online motorcycle forums and the establishment of a website (www.expertfriend.com/ffcr_home.html) and PayPal account ([email protected]) by volunteer Dave Arkle, the $5000 mark was surpassed in less than two days and donations have continued to pour in from every corner of the U.S and as far away as the Kawasaki Triples Club of Norway.

Other business owners in the motorcycle community have donated additional prizes – like racing tires, fuel, motorcycle parts and pit flooring – to be awarded as secondary prizes in the raffle. A group of 10 racers have pledged to place decals representing these companies, or any company that donated $100 or more in cash or prizes, on their racebikes for the 2005 season. And some contributors donated video games, toys and department store gift cards directly to the family in time for Christmas.

At post time, cash donations had surpassed $18,000, a portion of which was given to the Powers family prior to Christmas.

Because donations continue to come in daily, some from repeat donors, Burns has not decided on an exact date he will close the raffle to entries. The drawing is expected to take place some time in early-January, however, so that the winner of the leathers can have their new suit completed prior to the start of the 2005 racing season.

To enter the raffle or just make a donation, go to www.PayPal.com and donate to: [email protected]. Donations can also be mailed in to: Barnacle Bill’s, Attn: Christopher Powers, 1106 Logan Rd., Springfield, KY 40069. Checks should be made payable to Barnacle Bill’s Christopher Fund. For additional information, call “Barnacle Bill” Burns at (859) 336-7375 or e-mail [email protected].